This circle contains people who really are interesting and active people on Google Plus.If you would like to be included in the next Circle Share, you only have to do these simple steps:1 - Include me in your circles2 - Share the circle (Publicly)3 - Add +1 to the post.4 - Leave a comment if you like.I will thankful if you plus and share this circle!#publiccircle #circleshare #circlesharing #philadelphia #phoenix #san_antonio #san_diego #san_francisco #san_jose #seattle #tampa #washington #american_samoa #american_samoa #pago_pago #fiji #fiji #nadi #fiji #suva #argentina #argentina #buenos_aires #argentina #cordoba #argentina #iguaza #argentina #mendoza #argentina #rosaio #argentina #san_carlos_de_bariloche #bolivia #bolivia #cochabamba

"Canadians" I'm sharing all my circles publicly. This is one of them. Unfortunately, this circle is really 512 for me but only 500 of you have been shared. Which 12 have been cut is outside my knowledge and awareness....﻿

*If You recieve this message You are included in circle !!!To get in, and to ensure you stay in #thebestfriends circle you need to do the following:1. Include me in your circles...!!!2. Add the circle if you can, if not try again later.3. Plus this post...!!4. Publicly share this circle...!!5. Leave a comment on this circle so I know you have done the three steps above...!!!*#photography #circlesharingforthepeopleplc #sharedcircles #sharedpubliccircles #sharedcircleoftheday #Japan #Jersey #Jordan #Kazakhstan #Kenya #Kiribati #Latvia #Lebanon #Lesotho #Liberia #Libyan #Arab #Jamahiriya #Liechtenstein #Lithuania #Luxembourg #Macao #Macedonia #Madagascar #Malawi #Malaysia #Maldives #Mali #Malta #Marshall #Islands #Martinique #Mauritania #Mauritius #Monaco

*If You recieve this message You are included in circle !!!To get in, and to ensure you stay in #thebestfriends circle you need to do the following:1. Include me in your circles...!!!2. Add the circle if you can, if not try again later.3. Plus this post...!!! 4. Publicly share this circle...!!!5. Leave a comment on this circle so I know you have done the three steps above...!!!*#photography #circlesharingforthepeopleplc #sharedcircles #sharedpubliccircles #sharedcircleoftheday ﻿

Most comments: 107

Looking at this photo made me realize once again how brief our passage is in this world and in this lifetime… So much has happened since this photo was taken and despite the feeling that it was just yesterday my body and mind know better.

As some of you have noticed I’ve been away from G+ for some time; it wasn’t planned and I certainly didn’t intend it to be that way. It simply happened.

My life has been turned upside down since the tests I did a couple of weeks ago. While not all symptoms came back, the ones that did were enough to bring me to a halt. Despite my best efforts to continue doing everything as before it was inevitable that something would had to give; this something was my time here and on the internet in general. Between the dizziness, the ear and eye pain, the headaches, looking at a computer, tablet or even phone became an unnecessa... more »

Most reshares: 12

Well... that's not really it but... you can't deny that's some important announcement! :D

Anyway, starting this CATURDAY there'll be some changes to how things work around here. As you all know, Lee and me haven't been able to curate the most popular and loved theme of all and we feel terrible about it. So, something had to be done and am happy to announce that starting this weekend +CATURDAY! will be curated by +Cicely Robin Laing +Jules Falk Hunter & +Shantha Marie Fountain , with the occasional and rare sight of me and maybe even +Lee Daniels popping up to comment.

Most plusones: 122

I'm sharing today my selection for the #plusonecollection2012 . It wasn't an easy pick but ultimately I think this photo is the one that spoke to me the most for everything that it represents. The fact that it was dedicated to my dearest friend and kindred spirit +Lee Daniels, me noticing the sakura flowers for the first time in over a decade and the realization of where I wanted to go while remaining focused on the road immediately ahead...

The year that has passed was a challenging one, to me and so many others. I believe that we're all going through these obstacles so that we can see things clearly and grow to achieve better things.

Let's make a difference and with small gestures let's change the world!

It's been so long since I last posted something around here that I couldn't even remember how to do it... Then, I realized I didn't know what photos I had shared already since I've only been active on IG. :D Anyway, maybe I shared this photo here before, maybe I didn't, but decided to stop by & leave a "hi". Hope everyone's well & wish a wonderful day. :) ﻿

It's been so long since I last posted something around here that I couldn't even remember how to do it... Then, I realized I didn't know what photos I had shared already since I've only been active on IG. :D Anyway, maybe I shared this photo here before, maybe I didn't, but decided to stop by & leave a "hi". Hope everyone's well & wish a wonderful day. :) ﻿___

Lee made the world a brighter and happier place. With her stunning photos, magical words and her example of strength, courage, determination, witty humour, she made us all believe in magic and in a better place.

With her presence, she made us all better human beings. A constant reminder to never take things for granted and make the most of each day, no matter what adversities were lying around the corner.

She will be missed tremendously but her memory, love and light will always be with us.

Love you, Lee. <3

#rememberingleedaniels

Calla Ballet

Calla lilies dance in a patch of early morning light.

For #FloralFriday with +Tamara Pruessner ﻿___Lee made the world a brighter and happier place. With her stunning photos, magical words and her example of strength, courage, determination, witty humour, she made us all believe in magic and in a better place.

With her presence, she made us all better human beings. A constant reminder to never take things for granted and make the most of each day, no matter what adversities were lying around the corner.

She will be missed tremendously but her memory, love and light will always be with us.

It's been ages since I posted something else and even longer since I interacted with most. Lots of things happening this year and the hours, days and months simply haven't been enough.

I'm unsure of the reasons for posting here today... now... but one of the things I've been trying to put in practice this year is to let go, accept things and stop questioning everything.

Due to time constraints and everything else going with my life I've also switched directions and have been mostly taking photos with my cell phone. I share them over Instagram, sometimes Facebook and now here. This is one of my favourite shots this year... Not because of its quality but rather because of all that it leaves open for interpretation. :)

I can't say when or if I'll return to posting with the same frequency around here but please know that if... more »

Hi All,

It's been ages since I posted something else and even longer since I interacted with most. Lots of things happening this year and the hours, days and months simply haven't been enough.

I'm unsure of the reasons for posting here today... now... but one of the things I've been trying to put in practice this year is to let go, accept things and stop questioning everything.

Due to time constraints and everything else going with my life I've also switched directions and have been mostly taking photos with my cell phone. I share them over Instagram, sometimes Facebook and now here. This is one of my favourite shots this year... Not because of its quality but rather because of all that it leaves open for interpretation. :)

I can't say when or if I'll return to posting with the same frequency around here but please know that if needed I'm all but a message away. And, you can also find me over IG and FB.

I found this beautiful stone while walking on the beach near my home. It was there, standing itself apart from the norm of all the others around it, bringing beauty to an otherwise bland shore.

Looking at this photo this morning got me thinking of how most of us are quick to judge people based on their looks; be it the clothes they are wearing, the colour of their skin, their accent, their manners and so on... It’s not easy not to pass judgment on others even if it is only a thought.

That’s something we should strive to eradicate completely… all the time and every day we should make an effort to accept and appreciate difference. Why complicate a simple thing when ultimately we all want the same things?

I found this beautiful stone while walking on the beach near my home. It was there, standing itself apart from the norm of all the others around it, bringing beauty to an otherwise bland shore.

Looking at this photo this morning got me thinking of how most of us are quick to judge people based on their looks; be it the clothes they are wearing, the colour of their skin, their accent, their manners and so on... It’s not easy not to pass judgment on others even if it is only a thought.

That’s something we should strive to eradicate completely… all the time and every day we should make an effort to accept and appreciate difference. Why complicate a simple thing when ultimately we all want the same things?

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Always extremely challenging to go by these words but important to remember them and do our best every day to achieve it....

“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Always extremely challenging to go by these words but important to remember them and do our best every day to achieve it....

I'm sharing today my selection for the #plusonecollection2012 . It wasn't an easy pick but ultimately I think this photo is the one that spoke to me the most for everything that it represents. The fact that it was dedicated to my dearest friend and kindred spirit +Lee Daniels, me noticing the sakura flowers for the first time in over a decade and the realization of where I wanted to go while remaining focused on the road immediately ahead...

The year that has passed was a challenging one, to me and so many others. I believe that we're all going through these obstacles so that we can see things clearly and grow to achieve better things.

Let's make a difference and with small gestures let's change the world!

I'm sharing today my selection for the #plusonecollection2012 . It wasn't an easy pick but ultimately I think this photo is the one that spoke to me the most for everything that it represents. The fact that it was dedicated to my dearest friend and kindred spirit +Lee Daniels, me noticing the sakura flowers for the first time in over a decade and the realization of where I wanted to go while remaining focused on the road immediately ahead...

The year that has passed was a challenging one, to me and so many others. I believe that we're all going through these obstacles so that we can see things clearly and grow to achieve better things.

Let's make a difference and with small gestures let's change the world!

Here's a link for the Plus One Collection 2012 donation page:

http://www.indiegogo.com/plus-one-collection-2012

and more details about this amazing initiative can be found on +Ivan Makarov 's post here:

https://plus.google.com/u/1/+IvanMakarov/posts/h7A4z7eTdNz

Help in any and every way you can, a donation, a pre-order, a photo contribution or all of it. :)

Exactly one year to this date I was flying high… Memories of a recurring dream from my childhood filled my mind. The grass was greener and my spirit soared higher and higher with each passing day that brought me closer to my dream trip. The people around me, nature itself, the whole world seemed brighter and lighter. The prospect of things to come was a beautiful one…

The trip came and went in a blink of an eye… Along the way there were some minor hiccups but I also found answers to questions I didn’t even know I had left unanswered through the years; suddenly all seemed worthwhile. It was the end of January 2012 and I was so happy to share this newfound knowledge with many of my friends.

I close my eyes and the end of February arrives with signs of things to come… I become ill with a condition that remained a m... more »

*Shattered Dreams (A Million Tears Left Behind…)*

Exactly one year to this date I was flying high… Memories of a recurring dream from my childhood filled my mind. The grass was greener and my spirit soared higher and higher with each passing day that brought me closer to my dream trip. The people around me, nature itself, the whole world seemed brighter and lighter. The prospect of things to come was a beautiful one…

The trip came and went in a blink of an eye… Along the way there were some minor hiccups but I also found answers to questions I didn’t even know I had left unanswered through the years; suddenly all seemed worthwhile. It was the end of January 2012 and I was so happy to share this newfound knowledge with many of my friends.

I close my eyes and the end of February arrives with signs of things to come… I become ill with a condition that remained a mystery for almost three months. The hours that turned into days that turned into months saw loved ones face their own struggles and challenges. “Everything passing by is not coming back”, I thought… Some friends disappeared as if we’ve never known each other, while others came into my life when I was going nowhere. Not surprisingly these have stayed alongside me and I will never forget it. I thank you.

As a baby I laughed all the time. As a child I cried for the smallest things; I cried for almost everything. As the years went by I managed to find a balance but somehow as I got older I blocked the tears, and not because I didn’t want to cry but simply because I “shouldn’t do it”… The circle of life continues and the years went by. This year saw me crying again until I had nothing left in me. I cried until I was breathless, until I was dry inside, until I was dumb and until I felt that I could no longer carry on… I called out your name in vain.

Last year comes back to my mind again with all of its promises, my goals and dreams. I realize now that I was wrong and that I tried to complicate a simple thing. All I ever wanted was nothing that I had asked for… Everything I always needed I already had and fulfillment would only come when I started to share it with others. The few smiles I had this year were when I was somehow helping others. I said it in the past that by giving we’re receiving so much more, it’s true.

My dreams were shattered and I cried a million tears not because I set unrealistic goals or because I dreamed too big but simply because in the process I had forgotten about the need of others. It was only when so much was taken from me that I started to realize that I needed to do more. I have so much to learn and although it’s taken me forty years to reach this point I know this is nothing but the beginning.

I’ll continue to march on and will look forward to better days ahead…

This is my last post for the year and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, old friends and new. This post is dedicated to you… I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and may it be blessed with love and health.

A bird flew into a window, banging hard against it while several people walked by and did nothing…

A man in a wheelchair asking passersby to assist in opening and holding a door while no one bothered to stop…

An elderly woman carrying a huge bag down the stairs and again, everyone too oblivious to offer help...

Then I saw a homeless man watch a squirrel take away a piece of his bread… For a moment he stood there and I continued to observe his reaction, feeling tense with his stillness as the seconds passed by… Suddenly he smiled and let out a “hey there, buddy – are you hungry?” while giving away another piece of his bread.

The whole world has been made again. ♥﻿

The Things I Have Seen...

Made me question: are we too blind to see? ...

A bird flew into a window, banging hard against it while several people walked by and did nothing…

A man in a wheelchair asking passersby to assist in opening and holding a door while no one bothered to stop…

An elderly woman carrying a huge bag down the stairs and again, everyone too oblivious to offer help...

Then I saw a homeless man watch a squirrel take away a piece of his bread… For a moment he stood there and I continued to observe his reaction, feeling tense with his stillness as the seconds passed by… Suddenly he smiled and let out a “hey there, buddy – are you hungry?” while giving away another piece of his bread.

On my short walk from the spot where I lock my bike to the office I noticed many sparrows enjoying a feast. Someone had left them lots of grains and their chirping and movement exuded so much happiness... I was five minutes late and rushed by the scene when suddenly something clicked and I decided to make a turn and sit by them. I sat down and as my breathing slowed I started to notice all the small details around me... The gratification of that moment is carrying over throughout the day.

With the advancement of technology one would expect that our daily lives would slow down and we would have more time for the simple things. The opposite seems to be happening and I find it bothersome how much time we are constantly spending trying to get more things done. It’s a rush, rush, rush world but regardless of what your beliefs are; this lifetime is you... more »

*It’s a Magical World*

On my short walk from the spot where I lock my bike to the office I noticed many sparrows enjoying a feast. Someone had left them lots of grains and their chirping and movement exuded so much happiness... I was five minutes late and rushed by the scene when suddenly something clicked and I decided to make a turn and sit by them. I sat down and as my breathing slowed I started to notice all the small details around me... The gratification of that moment is carrying over throughout the day.

With the advancement of technology one would expect that our daily lives would slow down and we would have more time for the simple things. The opposite seems to be happening and I find it bothersome how much time we are constantly spending trying to get more things done. It’s a rush, rush, rush world but regardless of what your beliefs are; this lifetime is your only one this time around.

There’s beauty and magic surrounding us in every corner: take the time to slow down, appreciate things and find a way somehow to share it with others. ♥

One of my favourite pastimes as a child was to swing higher & higher. I’d close my eyes at the bottom and open them when at the top, giving me the feeling that I was flying The dream of flying followed me through most of my childhood (and I’d say that it still is with me) and one time it almost all ended tragically when I had the brilliant idea of wrapping bed sheets around my neck and hopped onto my window; my mother caught me right on time... :D

This week I was reminded of how frail life is and how fast our passage in this world truly is. It is inevitable that when things go up they will eventually come down. Yet I refuse to allow this knowledge to keep me down as I know that one day, when I suddenly open my eyes again, I’ll have reached new heights.

As the seasons have come and gone, flowers withered and bloomed. Old life gave way to new l... more »

Summertime Sadness

One of my favourite pastimes as a child was to swing higher & higher. I’d close my eyes at the bottom and open them when at the top, giving me the feeling that I was flying The dream of flying followed me through most of my childhood (and I’d say that it still is with me) and one time it almost all ended tragically when I had the brilliant idea of wrapping bed sheets around my neck and hopped onto my window; my mother caught me right on time... :D

This week I was reminded of how frail life is and how fast our passage in this world truly is. It is inevitable that when things go up they will eventually come down. Yet I refuse to allow this knowledge to keep me down as I know that one day, when I suddenly open my eyes again, I’ll have reached new heights.

As the seasons have come and gone, flowers withered and bloomed. Old life gave way to new life as the cycle continues.

Take my hand and hold on tightly as we reach out to touch the sky. ♥

For +Tamara Pruessner (thanks for all the work you do, Tam) , +FloralFriday #floralfriday ﻿___

It was April of 2012… there & then I noticed for the first time the Sakura tree blossom. So much was uncertain at that point in my life and different challenges were being presented to me. Time has passed, the challenges remain but the difference is that the path is now clear. I envision the destination while remaining focused on the path immediately ahead of me.

I shared three photos of the sakura flower and kept this one until now. It’s my favourite and I share it while saying goodbye to season’s end…

Dedicated to my dearest friend and kindred spirit +Lee Daniels

Thinking of you. ♥

#happythoughtsforleedaniels ﻿

It was April of 2012… there & then I noticed for the first time the Sakura tree blossom. So much was uncertain at that point in my life and different challenges were being presented to me. Time has passed, the challenges remain but the difference is that the path is now clear. I envision the destination while remaining focused on the path immediately ahead of me.

I shared three photos of the sakura flower and kept this one until now. It’s my favourite and I share it while saying goodbye to season’s end…

Actually the little monster never left and because of him I had to endure many sleepless nights since I couldn’t keep the windows open any longer.

Ever since the first break in a few weeks ago, he’s been seen surrounding the house. I caught him crossing the street, walking around the courtyard, under a car… It seems that everywhere I go he’s there!

As a protective father that I am to Mishka, I tried to reason and talk Coco to understand she wasn’t interested. I also explained that it wouldn’t be by breaking in, eating her food, making a mess of the house, that he would find the way to her heart. He’s got a temper that one, I tell you! :D Immediately after I finished saying these words he changed his cute behaviour and this photo if proof of the real him (see +Sharon Jeannette ? Not as cute and innocent as you thought, uh?) more »

Thievius is back!!!

Actually the little monster never left and because of him I had to endure many sleepless nights since I couldn’t keep the windows open any longer.

Ever since the first break in a few weeks ago, he’s been seen surrounding the house. I caught him crossing the street, walking around the courtyard, under a car… It seems that everywhere I go he’s there!

As a protective father that I am to Mishka, I tried to reason and talk Coco to understand she wasn’t interested. I also explained that it wouldn’t be by breaking in, eating her food, making a mess of the house, that he would find the way to her heart. He’s got a temper that one, I tell you! :D Immediately after I finished saying these words he changed his cute behaviour and this photo if proof of the real him (see +Sharon Jeannette ? Not as cute and innocent as you thought, uh?)

To be continued…. :D

If you missed it, here's the link to the first post of this developing story:

The mind is a beautiful thing, isn't it? I woke up this morning feeling agitated. The agitation turned into exhaustion, that turned into being hyper and finally peacefulness.

There was a strong and cool headwind on my bike ride to work this morning. It made me realize that summer soon will be over... Suddenly while riding past the only church I visit here in Toronto a song came to mind and with it the explanation for so many strong feelings this morning...

I thought of our +Lee Daniels and remembered that it's been a while since I last publicly shared some love and happy thoughts for her.

This photo, despite its dark tones, seemed a good fit for its cheerful and hopeful lights that seem to shine from above. Lee, may these lights continue to give you strength and surround you with love. ♥